Flux.2 [klein] brings a new family of compact, high-performance image generation models to production workloads. On RunDiffusion, these models are ideal for fast iteration: use the image gallery and generator above to compare the 9B and 4B variants on your own prompts in seconds.
This guide walks through the three core Klein models, how the base and distilled variants differ, and how to choose the right option for your RunDiffusion workflows.
Meet the Flux.2 Klein Model Family
The Flux.2 [klein] lineup is designed to break the usual tradeoff between speed and quality. Instead of choosing between huge, slow models or tiny, low-quality ones, Klein compresses strong visual performance into compact footprints that are well suited for real-time and high-volume use.
The family includes four closely related models, grouped into 9B and 4B parameter sizes with base and distilled variants:
Quick Start: Picking Your Default Flux.2 Klein Model
Use this as a 30-second guide before you start generating in RunDiffusion:
Need instant, responsive previews? Start with FLUX.2 [klein] 4B (distilled) and 4B for the snappiest UI while you explore prompts.
Want higher polish without big slowdowns? Use FLUX.2 [klein] 9B as your default for final-quality images at strong speeds.
Working with limited VRAM or shared GPUs? Prefer the 4B family; you can still upgrade to 9B for selected hero shots.
FLUX.2 [klein] 9B
- Undistilled 9B foundation model. Maximum flexibility and control, ideal if you need the full training signal for advanced workflows and external fine-tuning.
- License: FLUX Non-Commercial License
- Inference time (GB200, s): ~6
- Inference time (RTX 5090, s): ~35
FLUX.2 [klein] 4B Distilled
- The fastest variant in the Klein family. Built for interactive applications, real-time previews, and latency-critical production use cases.
- License: Apache 2.0
- Inference time (GB200, s): ~0.3
- Inference time (RTX 5090, s): ~1.2
FLUX.2 [klein] 4B Base
- Smaller foundation model with an exceptional quality-to-size ratio. Ideal for local deployment, limited-hardware experimentation, and efficient generation or editing.
- License: Apache 2.0
- Inference time (GB200, s): ~3
- Inference time (RTX 5090, s): ~17
Which Flux.2 Klein model is best for real-time concepting?
FLUX.2 [klein] 4B (distilled) is usually the best choice. It is the fastest variant while still producing coherent, visually pleasing images. On RunDiffusion, select the 4B distilled tool or add it to your Runnit board. Selectively rerun key prompts on 9B when you need a higher level of detail or more polished final assets.
When should I choose a Base model instead of a distilled variant?
Pick a Base variant when you care more about control and extensibility than raw speed. Base models expose configurable inference steps and preserve more of the underlying training signal, which is helpful for advanced workflows and experimentation. In RunDiffusion, this is useful if you are tuning for a specific art direction, testing different step counts, or preparing images that will feed into downstream tools such as upscalers or editing pipelines.
How should teams structure workflows around Klein on RunDiffusion?
A common pattern is to standardize on 4B (distilled) for exploration, then reserve 9B runs for shortlists or final approvals. Teams can share prompts and reference images inside the same RunDiffusion Runnit Boards (shared workflows) so results stay consistent. You can also mix Klein with other models in separate runs, using Klein for speed-sensitive steps (ideation, thumbnails) and heavier models only where the extra cost or latency is justified.
Flux.2 Klein Variants at a Glance
Use this quick comparison to align model choice with your speed, quality, and licensing needs.
| Model | Size & Speed | License | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| FLUX.2 [klein] 4B (distilled) | Smallest; fastest latency | Apache 2.0 | Real-time UIs, interactive previews, rapid prompt exploration |
| FLUX.2 [klein] 4B Base | Small; slower than distilled but more flexible | Apache 2.0 | Local or constrained hardware, controllable generation, editing |
| FLUX.2 [klein] 9B Base | Largest; highest flexibility, slowest | FLUX Non-Commercial | Advanced pipelines, external fine-tuning, maximum control |
Prototype on the fastest Klein variant your hardware can handle comfortably, then switch to a higher-capacity model only when you need visible quality gains.
Inference times are approximate and depend on resolution, batch size, and generation settings, but they show the overall performance profile of each model.
Info: FLUX.2 [klein] 4B and 4B Base are released under Apache 2.0, while the 9B variantsuse the FLUX Non-Commercial License. Always review official license terms for your specific use case.
A Compact Transformer for Production Workloads
Historically, production image generation has meant choosing between slow, large models with great quality and fast, smaller models that compromise on detail and coherence. Flux 2 [klein] targets this bottleneck directly.
Built on Black Forest Labs' rectified flow transformer architecture, Klein compresses the capabilities of larger Flux models into a more compact parameter budget. The 4B variants, in particular, deliver a strong balance of visual quality, speed, and VRAM usage that makes them attractive for:
Production Checklist for Klein on RunDiffusion
- Target latency first: Pick 4B (distilled) if you need near-instant responses; step up to 9B only when visuals demand it.
- Match resolution to your UI: For inline previews or iterating on composition, start at lower resolutions and upscale later.
- Plan editing passes: Use fast text-to-image runs to find candidates, then apply image editing or multi-reference workflows to refine select outputs.
Tip for teams: Configure a shared RunDiffusion workspace (Runnit Board) with a Klein default model so everyone tests ideas under the same performance envelope.
The Flux 2 [klein] 4B model family supports both classic text-to-image generation and image editing workflows, including single-reference and multi-reference inputs for controlled transformations. For teams processing hundreds or thousands of images per day, the reduced parameter count translates into meaningful latency advantages while still keeping quality high.
On RunDiffusion, that means you can iterate faster: prompts update more quickly, and you can evaluate more creative directions within the same time window.
Base vs Distilled: Understanding the Variants
Flux 2 [klein] is available in base and distilled variants, each optimized for different priorities. The distinction is most clearly documented for the 4B models, but the same conceptual tradeoffs apply across the family.
Base models retain the full training signal and support configurable inference steps. They are designed for maximum flexibility and control, making them suitable if you:
- Care about fine-grained control over the speed/quality tradeoff
- Plan to explore advanced workflows or external fine-tuning
- Want a general-purpose backbone that can be adapted to many tasks
Distilled models are optimized for speed. The distillation process compresses the generation trajectory into fewer steps while preserving output quality, which is ideal when latency and throughput matter more than tunability.
Base
- Endpoint: flux-2/klein/4b
- Inference steps: Configurable
- Primary use case: Maximum control, experimentation, and external fine-tuning workflows
Distilled
- Endpoint: flux-2/klein/4b/distilled
- Inference steps: Fixed (4 steps)
- Primary use case: Production speed, interactive apps, and real-time previews
In practice, the distilled variant is ideal when you want Klein to feel "instant" in interactive RunDiffusion sessions, while the base variant is better suited when you value controllability and model flexibility above all else.
Choosing the Right Klein Model on RunDiffusion
To get the most out of Flux.2 [klein] inside RunDiffusion, use the example images and generator above to compare how the 9B and 4B variants behave on your own prompts. A few practical guidelines can help you narrow down your default choice:
- For real-time experimentation and previews: Start with FLUX.2 [klein] 4B (distilled). It offers the best latency profile, which keeps the UI feeling snappy when you are rapidly iterating.
- For highest visual quality with strong speed: Use FLUX.2 [klein] 9B. It is an excellent default when you want polished results but still care about turnaround time.
- Because all of these models share the same architectural family, you can often prototype with a faster or smaller variant (such as 4B distilled) and then switch to a larger base or 9B distilled model when you are ready to render final assets.
Next Steps: Try Flux.2 Klein in RunDiffusion
The best way to understand how Flux.2 [klein] behaves is to see it in action. Use the generator above to:
- Run the same prompt through 9B and 4B variants and compare quality vs speed
- Test text-to-image and image editing flows with your own references
- Identify which model feels best for your day-to-day creative or production tasks
Once you know which variant fits your needs, set it as your go-to model in your RunDiffusion workflow so you can move from idea to finished image with minimal friction.